What ducks aren't -or- yes your expectations can be too high

[CelticOaksFarm]

Ducks are not:

• Lap pets
• dog like
• cat like

They do not enjoy being held, or placed on a lap to be petted. Yes you should be capable of checking them over periodically to know they are in good health.

They do not accept change quickly, with out a doubt they take the longest to adapt to something new. So when you buy new ducks and bring the, home remember they are scared, and having to learn a new routine. They are not quick to trust, you must earn it. If you do something that makes you happy, but scares them they will do everything they can to avoid you.

When you move ducklings outside remember it is new and they have to learn what is OK all over again. If you move where their house is again they have to relearn the routine and may act crazy running around and not going in the house as before.

Enjoy talking with them, they all seem to enjoy a conversation, and I haven't met one yet who doesn't go ga-ga over treats. (refer to the treat sticky at the top of the duck area)

If you want an animal to cuddle get a puppy. If you an animal to sit and watch and enjoy tossing treats to and gabbing with, get a pair of ducks, or three or four. (single ducks are lonely ducks, always buy in at least pairs)

 

[Sweetfolly]

Also - they are not an animal you can potty-train. They WILL automatically eject liquid feces from their rear ends every 7 to 14 minutes, no matter where they are.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Ooohh YES, prolific poooooo all day and all night.

 

[Strong Haven]

Thank you for this timely post: Now I need to call my two little sin here and read it to them. The hardest part of teaching them about caring for animals is explaining the whole "What makes you happy might terrify them" thing.

 

[zooweemama]

Well said! I am happy that I can get the ducks to come when I call them in for the night and I can feed treats to them. They talk back if I talk to them or quack to them. (hehe) But cats and dogs they are definitely not. But silly and fun to watch (more fun to watch than dogs are cats as ducks go 'do' things so there is a lot to go watch) they certainly are.

 

[newbyduckmom]

Indeed! Thanks for the post! Wish I had seen a similar one 15 months ago~!

 

[BigBlock]

I guess my ducklings are weird, they love sitting on my lap! If I sit in front of their cage and open the door they come running out and climbing up on me. They like to sit and watch TV. I don't know if they "like" being held, but they don't try to run away when I pick them up anymore. One really likes it when I rub her belly!

 

[TheChicknGarden]

My girl duck loved to be petted & and carried like a baby...perhaps it was cause i gave them tons of attention when they were little.... Tons...

 

[Laura6544]

I guess my ducklings are weird, they love sitting on my lap! If I sit in front of their cage and open the door they come running out and climbing up on me. They like to sit and watch TV. I don't know if they "like" being held, but they don't try to run away when I pick them up anymore. One really likes it when I rub her belly!

Mine too, I have to wait for them to come to me but they do come and love to sit close to me, they fall asleep on me given half the chance! They are both just over 12 weeks now and one is super confident and doesn't mind me picking her up, the other doesn't like being picked up but loves to sit on me and does a weird thing were she pushes her neck and head along side my neck/ head whilst vibrating slightly, havn't a clue what this is but I have taken it as a sign of affection as she wags her tail after and looks very pleased with herself.

 

[Amiga]

It's fun to read about the exceptions to the standoffish duck rule. None of mine like being picked up, though they will come in close and some like pets and all of them tolerate being held for examination and treatment.

But it seems good to let folks know that ducks are quite different from dogs and cats and many other typical pet species. Realistic expectations may help avoid problems. I am thinking especially about youngsters who, after being disappointed in the level of contact the ducks tolerate, lose interest and so the ducks don't get optimal care.